While Martinelli has struggled for goals, he remains a constant threat on the left wing for the Gunners, leaving Sterling with big shoes to fill.
The Englishman recognised this rare opportunity to impress but failed to make an impact as Arsenal struggled to break down the Saints in the first half.
Sterling was eventually substituted during the match, with Martinelli coming on to score one of the goals.
According to Football Insider, most Arsenal fans were dissatisfied with Sterling’s contribution while he was on the pitch, with some even labelling him the worst signing of Mikel Arteta’s era.
Supporters had high expectations when they saw his name in the starting XI but felt he showed little to suggest he was ready to make a meaningful impact.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Sterling may be an experienced Premier League star, but he needs time to get used to our system and our style of play.
The attacker will improve if he keeps getting minutes, and we need to be patient before judging his spell at the club.
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Just Arsenal opinion,
Sterling needs time to get used to our system. While I agree with that to a point, get real he’s meant to be a top notch back-up player in the squad.
So, at the very least I expect him to be more of a threat when he has the ball. You don’t need time for that, if your as good a player as the manager say’s that’s the least we as fans can expect.
Anyone else agree out there?.
Yes to a point
Yes, he needs time to adjust- look at Havertz as a prime example. On the face of it I think it was a sensible short term move.
Whilst I think footballers are guilty of bigging up their importance, the manner in which Sterling left Chelsea was bizarre. He has been given a chance and hopefully Arteta can improve what was, at least, a very good player in his prime.
No. I thought Sterling had a decent game; I don’t understand what people expect! Saints played a100% defence in the first half; they opened up in the second half, giving more opportunity to Martinelli & Co. Sterling got the ball into their box plenty of times (like Saka) but the space wasn’t there to create chances.
I didn’t think he would was so bad – a little shocked to hear this tbh. He made good runs, ran at defenders well, put some decent crosses in… I don’t know if it’s because my expectations were different, but I really didn’t think he was so dreadful as is being made out.
Davi,
Take off those rose tinted glasses.
Fans should not forget that sterling was also a product of frustrating Chelsea side like Havertz was before he joined last season…so it’s normal if Sterling needed some time to get adjusted to playing good football with better team.
Can anyone describe how he was so bad? Might help
I thought he played well. Loved the way he’s got a 2nd gear with the ball at his feet. His performance should have been rewarded with a goal, same as Jesus. All starting 11 contributed to tiring out the Southampton players with our high press before the 3 subs came on to inject that extra energy for us to score the two winners. Overall it was a good all round performance from the lads and we are continuing to prove we can win without Odegaard. I think the rose tinted glasses are being worn by the haters who think; if you don’t score equals a bad performance! Sterling was exciting to watch and he will definitely be contributing with goals and assists this season. Come on Arsenal ❤️🤍
“I think the rose tinted glasses are being worn by the haters who think; if you don’t score equals a bad performance! Sterling was exciting to watch and he will definitely be contributing with goals and assists this season”
This is 100% true.
Thank you. Maybe we should remind them Sterling has 123 Premier League goals to his name and currently sits 19th in the list of all time Premier League top goal scorers. Not bad for a winger 😉
AndyE,
That was mostly in his Liverpool and City days.
You can’t live off past glories.
Not sure I get your point as it seems you are implying he only scores when he was playing for better teams. Are we not as good as City or Liverpool or do you think he’s just completely forgotten how to play football whilst at Chelsea?
No AndyE,
What I’m saying is that his best years are behind him, and that if Arsenal see bringing in players that are on the downward slide then Sterling fits the bill perfectly.
But this is what happens when a club and Arsenal are guilty of doing this a lot, by leaving it to the last day of the transfer window to strengthen the squad.
And unfortunately I don’t think Sterling is the answer.
Play sterling while on loan as a substitute .Please dont buy him.
AJ,
I’m afraid that statement is going to come back and bite you.
We’ve seen how Havertz suffered at chelsea, along with Mudryk, so it seems obvious to me that Sterling will have the same problem.
He wasn’t at all bad against Southampton by the way
Sterling did ok against Southampton. Any fool can see, he isn’t upto speed yet and has to get used to Arsenal. He is looking better, each time he plays. Stupid article, at least give him a chance?????
Some time am amaze by armchair managers criticism of players, The Big German, Magahlase, Partey, Ben White and the list goes on and on.
What did we expect? The former Man City man to score an hat trick on his first start?
Just can’t believe we are all watching the same player, surely the gaffer would have seen things differently
Still very early days for Sterling, of course. He needs game time in order to settle in. However, there’s no guarantee that he will be a success – every transfer/loan is a risk to a certain extent.
At least if things don’t turn out as hoped for, he’ll be off at the end of the season. That’s not the same with, say, Jesus who has also come in for early criticism this season. He’s contracted until summer 2027.
I’m also in the camp of – sorry why was he so bad? I thought he was looking pretty sharp, and starting to fit into the system already. Why do our fans have such low tolerance for new players. Can’t even blame price on this one.
It’s going to be a long season Raheem has barely been with us a minute and people be making the negative remarks. Let’s cut him some slack, give him some more minutes and I think he’ll help us mostly in the latter stages of any cup competition involvement; he’s not likely to be staying with us – not permanently, at least I hope not. He’ll help us with contributory goals knowing we helped him out of a diabolic situation that he’s still in with Chelski his parent club. I agree its still early days with this player.
Sterling does NOT need time. He was signed as an experienced back-up winger, not an U-18 player who needs to be mentored.
The game against Southampton truly exposed him & after 60mins, Arteta had seen enuf. Worse for him, Martinelli replaced him & scored! Maybe Arteta is regretting sending Nelson on loan, cos he’s way better than Sterling.
So you think that a player from chelsea, who hadn’t featured for the club for over a month, should be able to, magically, fit into a squad that has run city115 close two seasons running?
If Nelson was that good, why on earth didn’t he break into the squad seasons ago?
Some of the criticisms are quite something. Almost any player that joins Arsenal now will need time to get up to speed.